Headlight reflector



- June 7, 1927.

- 1,631,159 E. J. RICHARDS HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR Filed Aug. 19. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 amounts;

. J Ric/lands- 1 June 927 E. J. RICHARDS HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR Filed Aug. 19. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 e anuentoz L? e]: Richardg.

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Patented June 7, 1927.

UNITED STATES ERNEST J. RICHARDS, OF MINERAL POINT, WISCONSIN.

HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR.

Application filed August 19, 1926. Serial No. 130,288.

This invention relates to improvements in reflectors for automobile and other head-' lights and has as one of its ob ects to provide a reflector so constructed that by its use an illumination of the roadway suflicient to enable a motorist to drive with certainty, is obtained, without liability of blinding or causing annoyance to approaching motorists.

Another object of the invention is to restrict, modify, or eliminate the side glare from headlights and, at the same time, pro vide for projection of the beams of light from the headlights equipped with the reflectors, in a straight forward direction so as to properly illuminate the roadway.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reflectorso constructed that it may be produced at a low cost and any replacements may be made without difliculty and at little expense. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a reflector which may be readily adapted to any of the standard makes of headlight casing or drums and which may be employed without the necessity of using lenses of special construction or formation.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical front to rear sectional view through the reflector embodying the invention, installed withln a headhght casing of the drum type.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the re flector removed.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of a portion of the reflector.

The reflector embodying the invention is indicated in general by the numeral 1 and the same is arranged within the usual headlight casing 2 which, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, is of the drum type, the reflector shell being provided at its open front with the usual flange 3 having the radial. locking lugs 4 which engage in slots or recesses in the front of the wall of the drum 2 in the usual manner, the usual rim 5 being applied to the front of the drum and retaining in place the headlight lens 6 which, for the purposes of the present invention, is preferably nothing more than a circular pane of clear glass. The flange 3 is also provided with the usual channel 7 in its rear side to accommodate the usual packing member 8 for excluding moisture from the interior of the headlight.

The reflector 1 is made of sheet metal and generally speaking, is of hollow semi-spheri cal form, the entire concave surface of the reflector being highly polished so as to afford an efficient reflecting surface, and the shell is provided centrally with the usual opening 9 to accommodate the socket 10 for the headlight bulb 11. The reflector shell differs, however, from the ordinary reflector shell in hat the sheet metal of which it is formed is stamped or pressed so as to provide a re flecting portion 12 which is defined by parallel shoulders 13 resulting from the stamping or pressing operation, the said reflecting surface extending from the upper to the lower side of the shell and being of uniform width, preferably approximately two and one-half inches, throughout its length. It will be observed by reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, that the opening 9 for the lamp bulb socket 10 is formed in the reflecting portion 12 of the shell intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof and midway between the shoulders 13, and it will be evident thatlight rays from the bulb 11 will be reflected from the surface of the light reflecting portion 12 in a manner to cast a beam of light directly forwardly ontov the road surface and likewise in a direction to illuminate objects at a higher elevation than the road surface, and it will furthermore beobservcd by the said Figures 2 and 3, that the surface of the light reflecting portion 12 is transversely of partly spherical contour so that the beam of light will be somewhat widened at a distance from the headlight, so that the road surface will be illuminated for a sufficient portion of its width to enable the motorist to drive with safety and assurance. While the portions of the reflecting, surface of the reflector shell at opposite sides of the light reflecting poi tion 12, are highly polished, the light rays reflected therefrom are materially modified by a means which will now be described.

The means referred to comprises two light modifying elements indicated by the numeral 14 and each formed of glass tinted yellow or some other appropriate color, each of the elements having the general form of the quadrant of a hollow sphere and being of dimensions and contour to fit snugly a ainst the portion of the concave surface 0 the reflector shell at the respective side of the light reflecting portion 12, one edge of each element engaging against the respective shoulder 13, as best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 1 of the drawings, and the other edge or margin of each element being substantially flush and in registration with the outer or forward surface of the flange '3 of the reflector shell. Clips 15 are provided upon the said flange and are arranged at suitable intervals about the circumference thereof and engage or project over the last mentioned edges of the respective elements 14, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, and likewise Figure 4, these clips serving to retain the elements'in place but being capable of being sprung outwardly to permit of removal of either .or both of the elements in the event it should be desired to substitute elements of another color or different shade.

It will be evident from the foregoing that such light rays as strike the surface of the reflecting portion 12 are reflected without interference through the lens 6 but that the rays which strike the reflecting surface of the reflector shell over which the elements 14 extend, are tinted or'modified because of the factthat the said light ray transmitting elements 14 are as stated, tinted or colored. Therefore, the light rays which would otherwise be reflected laterally from the headlights and prove annoying and blinding to approaching motorists and pedestrians, as in the ordinary headlights, are softened, so that they have no such effect in the reflector embodying the invention. Preferably, the elements 14tare of a thickness equal substantially to the depth of the shoulders 18, so

that the concave surfaces of the said elements .are flush and continuous with the surface of the reflecting portion 12 of the reflector shell and, therefore, there is no distortion of the light rays.

It will be understood that the same rehaving a portion of its reflecting surface offset forwardly to provide a reflecting area of substantially uniform width and extending vertically of said surface and whereby to provide shoulders at the opposite sides of said area, and light transmitting and modi:

fying elements of substantially the formof quadrants of a hollow sphere disposed against the said surface of the shell at the opposite sides of the light reflecting surface portion thereof and engaging against the said shoulders. I

2. A reflector comprising a reflector f'shel having a portion of its reflecting surface offset forwardly to provide a reflecting area of substantially uniform width and extending vertically of said surface and whereby to provide shoulders at the opposite sides of saidarea, light transmitting and modifying elements of substantially the form of quadrants .of a hollow sphere disposed against the said surface of the shell at the opposite sides of the light reflecting surface portion thereof and engaging against the said shoulvders, and means at the front of the shell engaging the margins of the said elements and retaining the elements in place.

In testlmony whereof I affix my s gnature.

ERNEST J. .nlonnnns. 1.8. 

